Oksana Zholnovych: This year, the Government plans to purchase 120 new homes for large foster families, with 50 of them for newly created ones

Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, spoke at the Yedyni Novyny telethon about the key areas of state support for children without parents or parental care, and the necessary steps to develop family-based care.

"It is extremely important for us that every child is brought up in a family. If a child loses his or her family, we must exert every effort to find people who will open their home and heart to them," said the Minister of Social Policy.

Oksana Zholnovych noted that the State supports and develops various forms of family education. In particular, this year, at the initiative of the Ministry of Social Policy, it is planned to purchase 120 houses for large foster families, including 50 for newly created ones. The state purchases housing for them, as raising five or more children requires adequate living space.

The State closely monitors the process of selecting parents. Candidates are trained, undergo medical examinations, and their living conditions and family relationships are analysed. This multi-level approach helps to avoid risks and guarantees a safe environment for the child.

To date, there are 3,800 orphans and children deprived of parental care in residential facilities. Most of these children live under the care of their grandparents or other relatives. That is why the Ministry of Social Policy last year introduced the Child Is Not Alone initiative payment, which allows relatives to take in a child immediately and receive the necessary financial support while legal proceedings are ongoing.

‘We are working to minimise the number of boarding schools, and to ensure that children grow up in a family environment. Even if it's not a family, but a social apartment with a carer, which is important, for example, for teenagers who have become orphans: so that they get the experience of ordinary life - cooking, making their own decisions, developing skills," the Minister explained.

Oksana Zholnovych also stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to supporting families with children: "We are reviewing the entire path of support for motherhood and childhood - from birth to 18 years. It is essential not only to support the family once, but also to ensure consistency - access to kindergartens, schools, housing, and the opportunity for women not to drop out of the labour market."

The current forms of support include childbirth assistance, a Baby Box or financial compensation, the Municipal Nanny programme, subsidies for housing and communal services, and payments for children in foster care.